you have one or you're building one? if you have one, who built it?

you may get some answers on the internet, but a book on engine building would be more reliable... and less snarky. or find an experienced engine builder in your area.

 

Unless the head/block has been shaved/milled an insane amount, no you absolutely don't need to shave the OEM pistons.

 

Straight blade or electric?

Seriously with any build you'd do a degree check and a clay test.

 

Please provide name of person/shop that said this, also provide your personal info in a pm to me so I can verify.

 

"Shaved" wouldn't be the term that i would use because it is way too general. The concern is valve-to-piston contact because the valve relief pockets on the pistons are smaller in diameter and cast in a slightly different location compared to those found on "B" VTEC pistons. Removing .040-060" of material from each "eyebrow" of the pistons is the PROPER technique to increase the likelihood of long term engine survival. It isn't difficult... tape off the surface of the block, cut away enough tape to expose the valve reliefs on the piston you intend to modify, grab your dremel and start grinding. Once you are happy with the results, used compressed air to remove the leftover material/debris. Tape the piston back up and repeat until all four pistons are modified.

There are engines out there that are likely stock block height, have a .030" thickness head gasket, and are topped with an uncut B16A cylinder head that run just fine... and have for years. However, an occasional long-term survivor should not be viewed as the example for which all builds thereafter should be modeled.

Consider this:

As stated above, the valve reliefs in VTEC pistons are larger in diameter than those found on NON-VTEC pistons... why ? Valve angles differ between DOHC VTEC and NON-VTEC cylinder heads, so the locations of the valve reliefs differ. Valve lift and duration are much more aggressive with VTEC camshafts and would increase the chances of valve-to-piston contact.

So knowing all of this... why take a chance knowing the solution is so easy ???

 

I'm sure it isn't term that isn't used most of the time, which is why I asked him where he read about this.